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The Ongoing Dispute of Western Sahara: A Forgotten Conflict

Throughout the years, global maps have illustrated a vast array of data, from GDP figures to population density, yet one region frequently remains conspicuously absent: Western Sahara. This article seeks to explore the historical and contemporary context of the Western Sahara conflict, a largely overlooked yet essential issue with significant implications for North Africa and beyond.

A Blank Area on the Map

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Located in Northwestern Africa, Western Sahara is often represented as "no data" in various global datasets. This phenomenon raises questions about the geopolitical status of this territory. Google Maps indicates this region, but while it features a dashed line — suggesting a disputed border with Morocco — United Nations member lists do not recognize it as a sovereign entity. Therefore, Western Sahara often appears merely as a geographic concept rather than an established country.

Territorial Claims and Historical Context

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The complexity of Western Sahara is tied to its colonial history. Initially claimed by Spain during the Berlin Conference of 1884, it remained a Spanish colony well into the 20th century. The struggle for control intensified after Morocco gained independence in 1956 and sought to reclaim territories it believed were historically its own, including Western Sahara.

In response to these territorial ambitions, the Polisario Front was formed in 1973 by the indigenous Sahrawi people, who vied for independence from Spanish rule. The political landscape shifted dramatically when Spain agreed to negotiate a withdrawal in the 1975 Madrid Accords, leading to a partitioning of the territory between Morocco and Mauritania without consulting the Sahrawi.

Conflict and Divided Control

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The aftermath of the Madrid Accords ignited conflict, as the Polisario Front launched a guerrilla war against Moroccan and Mauritanian forces. By 1979, Mauritania withdrew, leaving Morocco to contend with the Polisario alone. A lengthy war ensued, characterized by significant casualties and leading to the establishment of a modest establishment of Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria.

Today, about 80% of Western Sahara is under Moroccan control, while roughly 20% remains under the de facto control of the Polisario Front, although these areas consist primarily of uninhabitable desert. Both parties currently abide by a long fortification, known as the Berm, constructed by Morocco and heavily mined, making it a veritable military barrier.

Resolutions & the Way Forward

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Ceasefires have come and gone since the early 1990s, including the 1991 United Nations-brokered truce that allowed for a peacekeeping mission to monitor the situation and prepare for a referendum on self-determination. However, a referendum has yet to occur, as both parties have diverging views on eligibility — specifically regarding Moroccan settlers who moved in post-1975.

As such, the UN has yet to resolve the status of Western Sahara, and the territory remains classified as a non-self-governing one under international law. Continue media coverage often neglects this issue, leading to a popular perception that the Western Sahara conflict is an ancient dispute without resolution.

Geopolitical Stakes

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The dispute over Western Sahara has momentum not just for its local politics but for global power dynamics as well. Morocco's control over Western Sahara gives it access to significant phosphate deposits vital for fertilizer production and, potentially, offshore natural gas reserves. Recent alliances, such as reciprocal recognitions between the United States and Morocco regarding the territory, only deepen global stakeholding in the region.

Algeria remains the primary supporter of the Polisario, leading to escalating tensions — including military build-up on both sides. The contemporary geopolitical landscape is also increasingly influenced by foreign actors like Russia and China, who have aided Algeria, thus complicating the diplomatic landscape even further.

Conclusion

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While Western Sahara remains an enigma, its historical complexities and modern implications for resource control and international relations require critical examination. The competing claims of Morocco and the Polisario Front continue to evolve as regional dynamics shift, further entrenching Western Sahara as a focal point for conflict and diplomacy in North Africa.

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As global attention remains fixated elsewhere, the ongoing struggle for recognition, resource control, and self-determination in Western Sahara underscores the essential work that remains in resolving one of Africa's longest-standing territorial disputes. Stakeholders from Morocco, the Polisario Front, and the international community must navigate a path forward, lest the cycle of suffering continue in this deeply contested territory.